About the poet: W.H. Davies is an English poet who was born in 1871 at Wales plus die in 1940. He left school at a young period, and lived for a number of years as a peddler and a beggar in USA with England. His first effort of poetry ‘the soul’s Destroyer (1905) was printed at his own expense. It won the attention of G.B. Shaw. Davies was a prolific poet; his favorite themes were nature with the hardships of the poor.
Theme: The poem is musical display of rain, a great phenomenon of nature. It has a symbolic meaning also. The leaves on the upper level get the rain drops first and quench their thirst. Afterwards they pass on the drops to the leaves at the level beneath. These lines may offer a metaphor as well; the rich at the upper level get a golden chance first and whatever remains trickle down to the people at the level beneath. However, the scene of the sunshine afterwards, is lovely, and a source of pleasure to everyone of us.
Paraphrase
The poet says that he hears the leaves which are full of rain. He says that the rich leaves on top are full of water. The sprinkling of water which falls drop by drop on the leaves below creates a music which is sweet to hear.
When the sun appears again after the rain stops, the wonderful light sparkles each drop. In the end, the poet wishes that the sun shines in full brightness and makes the scene lovely.
I hear leaves drinking rain;
I hear rich leaves on top
Giving the poor beneath
Drop after drop;
‘tis a sweet noise to hear
These green leaves drinking near.
And when the sun comes out,
After this rain shall stop,
A wondrous light will fill
Each dark, round drop;
I hope the sun shines bright;
It will be a lovely sight.
(W.H. Davies)